#alfredo rodriguez

This season, McCarter is presenting a variety of both emerging and established Cuban artists to give Princeton a taste of Cuba’s thriving arts scene. Special Programming Director Bill Lockwood shares more about these upcoming artists and his experiences in Havana. 

When I first visited Havana two years ago, I came away convinced that McCarter had an opportunity to become an “ambassador” to showcase some of Cuba’s performing arts to our audience, since there is so much happening there at present, not only in the world of jazz (no surprise) but also in dance (both contemporary and Latino) and even classical music. So, for starters, this season McCarter will be hosting a kind of mini-festival of events, representing several genres—a kind of “Cuban sampler,” if you will.

It all begins on October 18 and 19 when we welcome the Malpaso Dance Company to the Berlind Theatre for two performances. I saw them rehearse when I was in Havana and decided on the spot that they should be part of our dance program. Malpaso is no longer a secret in the dance world; under their founder/artistic director Osnel Delgado, they have now appeared twice at the Joyce Theater in New York (as part of its Cuba Festival) and were part of BAM’s season this past spring. Malpaso is aptly named (un malpaso is a “misstep”) and Delgado has established his company as the reigning standard bearer of Cuban contemporary dance – a thrilling affirmation of flourishing independent arts in Cuba. (Following the October 18 performance, Delgado will join me on stage for a Q&A, so have your questions ready!)

But wait, there’s more that same week: On Saturday, October 21, the gifted Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriquez brings his jazz trio to the Berlind Theatre. The legendary Quincy Jones took Rodriguez under his wing when he defected from Cuba in 2009—how’s that for a mentor? His pianism references not only his Afro-Cuban roots but also Tatum, Jarrett, and Evans. And with a resume that already boasts a Grammy nomination, Rodriguez’ latest release Tocororo (2016) embraces a wider world of music we have yet to discover as Cuba opens itself up to the world.

Still to come in future months: The National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba(Sunday, March 23 atRichardson Auditorium). And yes, Virginia, there is indeed a serious classical vibe in Cuba! This Havana-based orchestra (which I heard in rehearsal) brings us not only music of Cuban composers but also Ravel’s tour de force Bolero and as a special added treat: Rachmaninoff’s Paganini Variations played by South Korean pianist Yekwon Sunwoo, Gold Medalist of the 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Talk about cultural crossover!

All this plus two more concerts in the spring, representing several generations of Cuba’s great jazz heritage: the grand master pianist Chucho Valdés, who is without a doubt the most influential figure in the evolution of Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz (Thursday,April 12); and the rising star of the “new Cuban jazz scene,” the young virtuoso pianist and bandleader Roberto Fonseca(Tuesday,April 24), who is also the director of Cuba’s “alternative jazz festival,” which takes place not in Havana, but on the central plaza in Santiago.

-William W. Lockwood, Jr.,McCarter Special Programming Director

P.S.: As an added treat, Chucho Valdés will have as his guests a duo of amazing musicians: Colombian jazz harpist Edmar Castenada, who will bejoined by Grégoire Maret, the reigning master of the chromatic harmonica.

For more information on these events, visit mccarter.org.